Frailty is recognized as a strong predictor of adverse outcomes and increased healthcare utilization; however, until recently, identifying frailty at a population scale has been difficult to operationalize. The Kim Frailty Index (KFI) is a validated, peer-reviewed measure of frailty that eases this burden by using only healthcare claims data to measure frailty with sufficient accuracy for population-level decision making.
The CMS Innovation Center is embedding KFI data into the new Long-term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) Model, its longest model to date. Under LEAD, KFI scores will be one of the factors used to determine whether a beneficiary qualifies as “High Needs.” LEAD ACOs whose service population is comprised of at least 40% high need beneficiaries stand to gain meaningful operational benefits, including smaller required panel sizes.
ATI produced a new resource to help potential LEAD participants understand KFI scores and opportunities to integrate them in near-term strategy.